Quote de jour
"When I discovered libraries, it was like having Christmas every day."
~ Jean Fritz

I get requests from publicists to review books every day, but I cherry pick ones that reflect my interests. Before a book is published, advance reading copies (ARCs) are sent out to the media for review and hopefully illicit some buzz. This week I'm loving a tautly drawn thriller Set The Night On Fire by Libby Fischer Hellmann. The story weaves present day Chicago seamlessly with politically volatile '60s Chicago and published by a small Chicago based indie press Alliumpress.com They don't have the resources to promote their writers like the big name publishers do, but I'm hoping this book becomes a word of mouth success.




 
I've loved Jennifer Weiner's books since her very first novel and best seller Good In Bed. She rode the popular wave of chick lit and emerged ten years and seven books later, a fearless writer of strong female characters. Chick lit may be dead but Jen is alive and well enjoying immense success beyond the genre. Her latest novel and no surprise, best seller Fly Away Home tackles the aftermath a politician's sexual scandal and those impacted by it, namely his wife and two adult daughters. JenniferWeiner.com  No one does wry conversational banter as well as Jen both in person and on the written page. (Yes, I've met her. She sat beside me at my step-son's Bar Mitzvah and thanked me in one of her books.) I like the alternating POV's and timely subject matter captured the "warts and all spirit" of America today.

When someone recommends a book for me to read, I listen. One of my readers who happens to be named Frank, thought I'd love Loving Frank by Nancy Horan, a novel based on the true adulterous love affair between architect Frank Lloyd Wright and his client, Mamah Borthwick Cheney in turn of the century Chicago. So far I'm loving this beautifully written, intelligent and engrossing story. Thanks, Frank!



I adored the novel and the film The Hours by Michael Cunningham and eagerly awaited his latest novel By Nightfall. Of all the excellent books this week, only this one turned me green with writer envy. Granted, I haven't finished it yet, but this page turner on post 9/11 lives in the New York art scene is perfection. Micheal Cunningham



Just a wee molehill of magazines this week. The American Dream lies in tatters, but the most compelling article is about the psyche of the American voter in New York Magazine. The flotsam of info is taking my mind off my sick cat Merlin. He's marginally better but the vet is stopping by again tomorrow. Thanks for the healing wishes.